2020 U.S. Elections: What Are Mail-In Ballots and Why Are They Important?
One of the most discussed topics in the run-up to the presidential elections in the United States has been mail-in ballots, as more and more voters choose the option due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
What is voting by mail and how does it work?
Voting by mail means casting a vote by mail. Different states have different rules regarding voting by mail, but they all have the option available. Some states have absentee ballots that are provided if the voter provides a reason why they cannot cast their vote in person. In the 2020 Florida primary election, President Donald Trump voted using an absentee ballot as he is a registered voter in Florida but was unable to vote in person. In some states absentee voting does not require a specific reason, and in some others my vote is mailed to all registered voters without any request being made.
Is there a verification process followed by the states?
Different states have different methods of verifying ballots, as in some states, authorities check if the ballots come from the registered address of the voters; some states require signatures on envelopes and others require witness or notarial signatures.
Why are vote-by-mail ballots important in this election?
In the 2016 US Presidential Election, nearly 25 percent of the votes were cast by mail ballot and this number is expected to rise much further in the 2020 US Presidential Election due to Covid- 19.
What is President Donald Trump’s take on mail ballots?
While a supporter of absentee ballots, President Donald Trump has consistently criticized the vote-by-mail process and has also said that it leads to voter fraud. Republicans have also cut funding for the mail service and opposed the expansion of the vote-by-mail process. President Trump has also spoken about how voting by mail can result in a delay in presidential election results.
What is the position of the Democratic Party on this issue?
The Democratic Party has supported the vote-by-mail process and has blamed the Republican Party for disrupting the electoral process.
How can the use of ballots by mail affect elections?
While President Trump’s claims about voter fraud in the vote-by-mail system have not been proven, there is a common consensus that the vote-by-mail process will cause a delay in election results, as the counting process it could take a long time.
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